Beis Ruchel D'Satmar London

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Beis Ruchel D’Satmar London 117 Stamford Hill, London N16 5RS

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(d), 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(vi)  At the school’s previous inspection in November 2023, leaders were still not fulfilling their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010. They continued not to actively promote and encourage respect for other people, in particular, those with different faiths and beliefs and some of those who have protected characteristics. The school did not teach the statutory content for relationships and sex education (RSE) that they should in an age- appropriate way for secondary-age pupils. In some subjects, such as science and geography, leaders did not allow pupils to study certain concepts, read content or complete tasks that are not in line with the school’s religious beliefs. The inspection found that the school’s approach was not preparing older pupils effectively for life in

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Main inspection findings

modern Britain or promoting fundamental British values in line with the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards).  The school’s post-inspection action plan included a number of vague actions which were judged to be unlikely to result in compliance with the unmet standards.  This inspection confirms that the school’s position has not changed. The school’s current practice continues to reflect the findings from the previous inspection in all respects. No changes have been made to the curriculum since the previous inspection, including no changes to RSE to develop pupils’ age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships in order to comply with the requirements of these standards.  All the standards checked remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  Leadership and management were judged to be inadequate at the previous inspection.  The school’s post-inspection action plan identified some suitable areas of focus, including working with consultants to strengthen the curriculum, but success criteria were not consistently underpinned by clear, measurable targets.  This inspection found that leaders are taking action to address the qualitative areas for improvement (those that did not result in unmet standards) identified at the time of the November 2023 inspection. For example, leaders have invested in new reading books and increased the amount of training staff receive in order to teach reading and writing effectively. Some positive work to strengthen the curriculum and quality of education, especially in the early years, is being carried out.  Leaders have not made any changes to comply with those standards relating to equality,

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Main inspection findings

RSE and curriculum breadth.  The standard checked remains unmet.  All the previously unmet standards checked during this inspection remain unmet.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Number of pupils on the school roll 1,040

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School details

Email address mainoffice@satmarschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 November 2023

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Information about this school

 The school is a strictly Orthodox Jewish independent day school for girls.  The school is registered for pupils between the ages of two and 11 years. However, there are 311 girls of secondary age on the school’s roll. Therefore, the school continues to be in breach of its registration agreement with the Department for Education (DfE) because it continues to admit pupils above its registered age range.  The school’s most recent inspection was a graded inspection in November 2023.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since its last graded inspection in November 2023. Since the previous inspection, leaders were asked to submit a statutory action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in March 2024 and was subsequently rejected by the DfE in April 2024.  This inspection was conducted without notice. The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complies with particular requirements within parts 1, 2 and 8 of the standards.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other leaders, including curriculum leaders and leaders with responsibility for safeguarding. He met with a group of pupils, toured

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Information about this inspection

the premises and reviewed some documents, such as curriculum plans and policies.  When the inspector met with pupils, leaders requested that he did not ask questions or discuss anything in relation to some of the protected characteristics, other faiths and beliefs or RSE. The inspector was satisfied that the inspection evidence provided a fair reflection of pupils’ views about their safety, behaviour and well-being.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of checks on adults. The relevant requirements in parts 3, 4 and 6 of the standards continue to be met.

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The school’s proposed change to the age range of pupils

The school has applied to the DfE to make a ‘material change’ to its registration. At the DfE’s request, this inspection checked whether the school meets the relevant independent school standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.  The outcome of this part of the inspection is: the school does not meet the

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independent school standards to the material change. The material change

has already been implemented.  The school requested to change to age range of pupils admitted to the school from aged two to 11 years to aged two to 16 years.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which- – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

experiences of life in British society.  2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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